According to the latest HBW residential construction permit data, Texas posted more than 5,950 new residential construction permits last month—representing over $1.9 billion in total construction value. Once again, showing that home construction continues to be strong across the Lone Star State.
While statewide numbers paint the big picture, the insights we are reviewing today come from zooming into the four major metro markets—Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio—where competition is fierce, regional dynamics vary, and a handful of builders consistently dominate the leaderboard.
Here is a break down the top five builders in each region, highlighting the statewide heavyweights, and exploring where the same names keep showing up (spoiler: some builders are basically on tour).
Statewide Titans: The Top Builders Across All Four Metros
Before diving into each region, it’s worth acknowledging the three builders who continue to be strong leaders across the state:
- D.R. Horton
- Lennar Homes
- Perry Homes
The three mega-builders appear in the top five across every metro area, and they consistently post the highest permit volumes statewide. If Texas homebuilding were a rodeo, these three would be the ones walking out with the biggest belt buckles.
Houston: The Permit Powerhouse
Houston remains the heavyweight of Texas residential construction, with 320 active builders pulling permits in May. The top five are as follows:
| Rank | Builder | Total Permits | Total Value | Avg. Value |
| 1 | D.R. Horton | 381 | $100.36M | $263,410 |
| 2 | Lennar Homes | 272 | $64.29M | $236,356 |
| 3 | Perry Homes | 196 | $68.09M | $347,423 |
| 4 | David Weekley Homes | 169 | $53.65M | $317,462 |
| 5 | KB Homes | 97 | $22.10M | $227,826 |
D.R. Horton led the region with the highest permit count statewide (381 permits), while Perry Homes posted the highest average value among Houston’s top five, signaling a strong presence in higher‑end product. And out of the four major metros, Houston is the only market where David Weekley Homes cracks the top five—proof that the builder remains a regional force even if not a statewide volume leader.
Dallas: The Metroplex of Momentum
Dallas had more than 160 builders pull permits in May, and the top five reflect a mix of national giants and regionally strong players:
| Rank | Builder | Total Permits | Total Value | Avg. Value |
| 1 | D.R. Horton | 392 | $102.23M | $260,783 |
| 2 | Lennar Homes | 125 | $38.51M | $308,045 |
| 3 | Meritage Homes | 116 | $33.97M | $292,814 |
| 4 | Trophy Signature Homes | 106 | $41.43M | $390,874 |
| 5 | Perry Homes | 105 | $31.21M | $297,246 |
D.R. Horton again took the crown with the highest permit count across all metros (392 permits). Trophy Signature Homes posted the highest average value in Dallas at nearly $391K—an impressive figure that positions them as a premium‑leaning competitor. And Perry Homes continues its statewide streak, landing in the top five here as well.
Austin: The Capital of High‑Value Construction
Austin’s market is smaller in volume but mighty in value, and with just over 70 builders pulling permits in May, the top five for total volume are as follows:
| Rank | Builder | Total Permits | Total Value | Avg. Value |
| 1 | Lennar Homes | 84 | $20.54M | $244,526 |
| 2 | Meritage Homes | 59 | $19.74M | $334,506 |
| 3 | Taylor Morrison Homes | 52 | $20.50M | $394,229 |
| 4 | D.R. Horton | 47 | $13.97M | $297,183 |
| 5 | Perry Homes | 46 | $19.84M | $431,371 |
Perry Homes posted the highest average value not only in Austin but across all metros (out of the top five builders) at $431K—a clear indicator of their strong foothold in the higher‑end Central Texas market. Lennar Homes led Austin for total permits, showing strong mid‑market traction. Overall, Austin’s top builders skew toward higher average values, consistent with the region’s pricing trends.
San Antonio: The Steady, Competitive Market
In the San Antonio area, there were just over 70 builders on record and pulling permits in May, with a familiar set of names leading the pack:
| Rank | Builder | Total Permits | Total Value | Avg. Value |
| 1 | Lennar Homes | 123 | $29.16M | $237,103 |
| 2 | D.R. Horton | 49 | $12.16M | $248,192 |
| 3 | KB Homes | 42 | $9.10M | $216,711 |
| 4 | Perry Homes | 27 | $10.04M | $371,748 |
| 5 | Continental Homes of Texas | 21 | $5.34M | $254,410 |
Lennar Homes dominated San Antonio last month with 123 permits—demonstrating strong regional performance. Perry Homes again posted a high average value, reinforcing its premium positioning, and Continental Homes of Texas makes a unique appearance here, rounding out the top five.
Market Takeaways
1. Texas remains a high‑velocity permit environment – Nearly 6,000 permits in a single month is no small feat, especially given ongoing labor and supply chain pressures.
2. The “Big Three” builders dominate statewide – Their presence across all metros gives them unmatched economies of scale and market influence.
3. Regional dynamics matter – The four major metros each show distinct market dynamics: Houston continues to lead the state in sheer permit volume, while Dallas balances strong volume with a notably high‑value product mix. Austin stands out for posting the highest average construction values, reflecting its premium‑leaning market, and San Antonio maintains a competitive mid‑market profile marked by steady, reliable growth.
4. Average value trends reveal strategic positioning – Builders like Perry Homes and Trophy Signature Homes are leaning into higher‑value segments, while D.R. Horton and Lennar maintain broad‑market dominance.
5. Permit data remains one of the most reliable indicators of market momentum – No matter your role in the construction industry, tracking monthly permit activity enables you to anticipate demand, price competitively, and identify emerging opportunities.
Month after month, Texas continues to be one of the most dynamic homebuilding markets in the country, and May 2026 was no exception. With strong statewide leaders, region‑specific standouts, and billions in construction value on the table, the Lone Star State shows no signs of slowing down.
To gain more information on the builders, homeowners and permits for the construction activity above, check out HBW for your copy of the latest construction data reports. To gain access to the HBW database and receive custom and detailed reports on the latest residential and commercial building activity in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma, please contact HBW for details.